KGU chairman in new appeal for support from corporates

Kenya Golf Union (KGU) chairman Richard Wanjala has appealed to corporates in Kenya to engage the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) more to provide an enabling environment that keeps them busy throughout the year in readiness for Kenya Open.

Wanjala says that helping the professionals prepare for the Kenya Open with just a month left to the Challenge Tour leg is too little too late and will not increase the number of Kenyans making the cut or even playing in the European Tour.

“We look forward to the resumption of tournaments like what East Africa Breweries, Safaricom, Kenya Airways and others used to have. I appeal to the companies to keep our golfers busy as helping the pros at the 11th hour is too little too late. Going forward we should work out a scheme where they are playing for money from January to December,” Wanjala said.

He was speaking when Kenya Breweries Limited announced Sh6 million sponsorship for the 50th edition of the Barclays Kenya Open through the Johnnie Walker brand. The sponsorship in an increment from last year’s Sh 5million.

“The Kenya Open tournament has demonstrated a rich legacy of longevity that blends well with our brand that has been serving beverages for 150 years. We are proud to be associated with this tournament which is a key fixture in the global golf circuit,” said KBL Managing Director Jane Karuku.

KBL has partnered with Kenya Open since the late 1980’s when the event was part of the Safari Tour. From 1998 t0 2001 Tusker was the title sponsor and again from 2005 to 2009. From 2010 to 2016, Tusker Malt Lager was the official alcoholic beverage partner.